A month is a short time in politics!

Harold Wilson once said “a week is a long time in politics”. As I launch my monthly blog I suspect I will soon discover that each month will pass very quickly!

John Stevenson, Conservative MP for Carlisle

Indeed May has already come and gone. It started with local elections across the country which saw the numbers shift significantly toward Labour, reflecting in part traditional voting patterns of British politics during a mid-term government, specific local issues, and undoubtedly the Coalition’s difficulties in the weeks leading up to the election.

Here in Carlisle, after thirteen years of Conservative control, we saw the council change hands to Labour. A significant event in our city.

It is often the case that when an MP and a council are of different political parties, one or both will refuse to engage with the other. I think that is a mistake. Obviously I will have some differences with a Labour controlled council, but I believe I should, wherever there is common ground, work with the council for the best possible outcome for our city. I hope the new leadership will reciprocate.

Nationally, the key issue for the next three years will undoubtedly be the economy – and quite rightly so. It should be the most important issue not just for the national government but also for local government with the key issue being jobs, jobs and more jobs.

To achieve this there are quite a few key ingredients for economies, whether they be national or local, to succeed. These ingredients are skills, business investment, access to finance, less regulation, and above all, confidence.

As for government both nationally and locally there is, I believe, more that can be done. However they must also resist the temptation to interfere too much, over regulate, or believe that they can always do things better than the private sector. The key for government is to create the environment where business can flourish creating the jobs and prosperity which we all wish to see happen.

Easier said than done, as many governments across the world are finding out.

But if Carlisle continues to be open to new investment opportunities, the city will be much better placed for the journey ahead.

Speaking of moving forward, last year I was kindly invited to visit the Cumbria Gateway Project in Botchergate. The project was then just an idea and aimed to help drug and alcohol addicts in the city find both accommodation and employment. The building the charity had acquired was in need of renovation but I could tell from the enthusiasm of those involved that the project would take off.

Earlier this month I was invited back to see the project fully operational. Many people have since found accommodation and employment with assistance from the scheme, and a number of volunteers across the city are helping others less fortunate. These volunteers are a credit to Carlisle.

One man for whom the project helped find employment told me, with some pride, how he was now paying tax for the first time! Good news for the Treasury and it goes to show how a little belief can change fortunes and help people become self-sufficient. Governments national and local should have the same attitude.